Grolsch Washer Clones?

[ClassicVibes]

Has anyone had experience of the 'clones' you can pick up for cheap on Amazon? Just want to make sure the rubber is of decent quality before I drop a whole £3! 
 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anpro-Guitar-Silicone-Rubber-Locking/dp/B06XHLP1JM/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=rubber+strap+locks&qid=1582755748&sprefix=rubber+strap&sr=8-3

[AndyTravis]

Just buy some grolsch 

[ClassicVibes]

39 minutes ago, AndyTravis said:

Just buy some grolsch 

I don't drink alcohol.

[AndyTravis]

1 minute ago, ClassicVibes said:

I don't drink alcohol.

I’ll buy some grolsch and send you the washers 🧐

[rushbo]

I know we're not dealing with a massive outlay of cash here, but... I've used a couple of other Grolsch type washers/grommets/straplocks (Fender and some no-brand Fleabay things) and they all seem to go brittle and crack. Admittedly, it takes about two years, but they do. I bought the non Grolsch versions as the colours matched my bass or strap in the way that the Grolsch versions didn't, but now I stick to Grolsch ones. I bought fifty about 10 years ago for a few quid and they're still going strong. The Grolsch washers just seem more supple and durable - but if you get a couple of years life out of  £2.59 worth of straplocks, that's still a pretty good deal!

[pete.young]

12 hours ago, AndyTravis said:

Just buy some grolsch 

Easier said than done. Since the UK brewing deal with the brand owners Asahi expired in November last year, some supermarkets no longer stock them and bottles are getting harder to find. Asda and Tesco's no longer stock them.

Flensburger might be an alternative but the bottles are smaller so I don't know whether the seals are the same size.

[Skybone]

Just make sure your instrument is not finished in nitrocellulose.

[AndyTravis]

3 minutes ago, Skybone said:

Just make sure your instrument is not finished in nitrocellulose.

The strap will separate the washer from the paint.

[Paul S]

I find the real ones are a PITA to stretch over the strap buttons and I often ended up pulling the skin under my fingernail away.  I switched to the 'made for guitar' ones as they have a bigger hole and are much easier to get on yet still stay on firmly.  Never had an issue with longevity, been using them for 4-5 years.

[Osiris]

13 hours ago, ClassicVibes said:

Has anyone had experience of the 'clones' you can pick up for cheap on Amazon? Just want to make sure the rubber is of decent quality before I drop a whole £3! 
 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anpro-Guitar-Silicone-Rubber-Locking/dp/B06XHLP1JM/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=rubber+strap+locks&qid=1582755748&sprefix=rubber+strap&sr=8-3

I bought a set of these around 3 years ago and they've been great. Someone mentioned earlier about them going brittle, mine haven't. When they're new they're a little stiff but that's reassuring as it means they're not going to ping off unless they're under a lot of force. I've had one that has got a small crack developing from repeatedly taking it on and off, I only do that as the big thick strap that its holding in place needs to be removed before putting the bass in its case, but the crack is still small and the washer still usable although I'm keeping an eye on it. But in its lifetime it must have been on and off the bass at least 100 times. 

[Skybone]

1 hour ago, AndyTravis said:

The strap will separate the washer from the paint.

But when you take the strap off, remember to remove the rubber washer as well.

[FinnDave]

I've not seen any Grolsch for sale round my way for years. I was looking for some but ended up buying a pack of Fender Strap Blocks on eBay. Only ordered them yesterday, so not seen them yet. Thought they might be better on my new  Epiphone Casady bass than my usual strap locks which will make the forward tilt worse due to the location of the button on the back of the body.

Edited February 27, 2020 by FinnDave

[MartinB]

Rubber perishes. I've been using these twist-to-lock plastic jobs for over a decade with no issues:

https://www.jimdunlop.com/lok-strap-strap-retainer-system-set-of-3/

edit: I've got a spare one here if you want it, @ClassicVibes - PM me your address and I'll stick it in the post

Edited February 27, 2020 by MartinB

[ClassicVibes]

1 hour ago, MartinB said:

Rubber perishes. I've been using these twist-to-lock plastic jobs for over a decade with no issues:

https://www.jimdunlop.com/lok-strap-strap-retainer-system-set-of-3/

edit: I've got a spare one here if you want it, @ClassicVibes - PM me your address and I'll stick it in the post

Thanks for the offer but I have used them before and just couldn't get on with them.

[Bass Fumbler]

I use shower head washers with no problems, although they are showing signs of cracking but at about £1.00 a pair, it’s no great outlay. 

[dave_bass5]

On 26/02/2020 at 22:24, ClassicVibes said:

Has anyone had experience of the 'clones' you can pick up for cheap on Amazon? Just want to make sure the rubber is of decent quality before I drop a whole £3! 
 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anpro-Guitar-Silicone-Rubber-Locking/dp/B06XHLP1JM/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=rubber+strap+locks&qid=1582755748&sprefix=rubber+strap&sr=8-3

I got a pack of these a couple of years ago. Never used them, i dont think Ive even opened the packet. Im happy to post them to you if you want them

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0026WZB7W/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[ClassicVibes]

I've sorted out my issue now but thanks anyway.

[casapete]

On 27/02/2020 at 16:04, MartinB said:

Rubber perishes. I've been using these twist-to-lock plastic jobs for over a decade with no issues:

https://www.jimdunlop.com/lok-strap-strap-retainer-system-set-of-3/

edit: I've got a spare one here if you want it, @ClassicVibes - PM me your address and I'll stick it in the post

I’ve also used these for decades now, with no problems. Cheap solution to the problem, and (unfortunately for me at least) don’t require the consumption of any alcohol.